Well today Christopher's outing consisted of visiting with Dr. Kirby. Unfortunately, there is nothing they can do about the swelling in his abdomen, legs and feet. As Dr. Kirby explained it, the water is surrounding individual cells, so they couldn't drain the fluid. Dr. Kirby also informed Christopher that he does not qualify for the clinical trials due to his liver failure. Dr. Kirby said his blood pressure was on the high side, but with the exertion it took for Christopher to actually get into the doctor's office, that was to be expected. He checked his lungs, and there is no fluid in his lungs which is a very good thing.
Christopher's will is unbelievable and even has the doctor and his staff in awe. He will be seeing Dr. Kirby on a weekly basis so that Dr. Kirby can monitor him.
Right now Christopher is taking a much deserved nap, while Ethan, Denise, Marcus, Addison and I sit in the den watching the kids eat oreos and color!
Amber
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Update
Well yesterday, Christopher, Denise, Mr. Dennis (Denise's dad), and my husband Marcus all took a field trip to Target. They got Christopher a motorized cart to drive around Target in..and they stopped at Subway to get lunch. Although he enjoyed getting out of the four walls, he admitted to Denise that he overdid it. Christopher rested the rest of the day, and this morning he changed Ethan and got him ready for daycare. He gets worn out, but if you asked Chris this is just a hump they need to get over.
The nurse from Hospice will be here this afternoon to check on Chris' vitals, and we have a call into his doctor to see about the process of draining the excess fluid from his body. We'll see if Chris agrees to this procedure, this won't be a one time thing because the nurse has informed us that even if they drained him, the swelling will be back in 2 days. It will be a decision Christopher and Denise have to make. The draining will help him to get around better with less pain to his legs and feet.
While we had a full house this weekend, things have gotten quieter. Denise's dad went back to Houston last night, and Denise's mom left this morning to go back to Houston. She will be back on Wednesday to bring Marcus, Addison and I to the airport.
We are very grateful for everyone's continued support, prayers and concern for the Seibert's. We are very grateful for the neighbor's who bring dinner over every night. The support is just awesome.
Until I write again,
Amber
The nurse from Hospice will be here this afternoon to check on Chris' vitals, and we have a call into his doctor to see about the process of draining the excess fluid from his body. We'll see if Chris agrees to this procedure, this won't be a one time thing because the nurse has informed us that even if they drained him, the swelling will be back in 2 days. It will be a decision Christopher and Denise have to make. The draining will help him to get around better with less pain to his legs and feet.
While we had a full house this weekend, things have gotten quieter. Denise's dad went back to Houston last night, and Denise's mom left this morning to go back to Houston. She will be back on Wednesday to bring Marcus, Addison and I to the airport.
We are very grateful for everyone's continued support, prayers and concern for the Seibert's. We are very grateful for the neighbor's who bring dinner over every night. The support is just awesome.
Until I write again,
Amber
Saturday, September 27, 2008
An Update on Christopher
Over the last two days Christopher has become much more lucid- even ready to get out of the house and wanting to go to Target! Unfortunately with his labored breathing and swelling of his legs and feet, we all know that this would be an impossible task. It's still very hard to tell Christopher that he can't. Hospice is coming in daily to give Chris baths, which he is being very cooperative with Charles!
The outpouring of support and love has been coming in for Christopher, Denise and Ethan from all over and they couldn't be more grateful.
Thank you again for your continued prayers for this wonderful family.
Amber
The outpouring of support and love has been coming in for Christopher, Denise and Ethan from all over and they couldn't be more grateful.
Thank you again for your continued prayers for this wonderful family.
Amber
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The Struggle We Go Through
While Christopher is putting up a good fight, it is with sadness that I have to let everyone know that Hospice has been called. Christopher has been put on Oxygen for his labored breathing. The swelling of his lower abdomen, legs, and feet has increased.
He is still getting around the house on his own, (albeit its becoming more and more of a struggle), chiming in as only Chris can with his wit and sense of humor when he thinks its necessary. We all feel very lucky to get to see the "Real Christopher" during his lucid moments.
Family and friends from afar are arriving to spend quality time with Christopher, Denise, and Ethan.
We all remain very grateful, thankful, and overwhelmed for everyone's continued support and prayers during this time.
Amber
He is still getting around the house on his own, (albeit its becoming more and more of a struggle), chiming in as only Chris can with his wit and sense of humor when he thinks its necessary. We all feel very lucky to get to see the "Real Christopher" during his lucid moments.
Family and friends from afar are arriving to spend quality time with Christopher, Denise, and Ethan.
We all remain very grateful, thankful, and overwhelmed for everyone's continued support and prayers during this time.
Amber
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A Quick Seibert Family Update
Christopher, Denise and Ethan would like to thank everyone for their generosity, support and prayers over these last few days. They are truly touched by the outreach by people they don't even know who are willing to help them at this time in their lives. While Denise and Ethan are spending quality time with Christopher, I will be updating their blog to let everyone know how things are going. Your prayers and support are definitely being felt, and heard.
Again thank you all for your support to the Seibert Family.
With sincere gratitude,
Amber Abney
Again thank you all for your support to the Seibert Family.
With sincere gratitude,
Amber Abney
Monday, September 15, 2008
What Makes You Stronger
One of my favorite phrases is "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger". It's powerful in the respect that who wants to go through something that could possibly kill us or hurt us enough to say, it could be worse.
However in life, God throws us a curve ball and it's up to us to see the blessing in it and help our faith get a little stronger. When going through college I thought the hardest thing in my life was trying to find a job and plan a wedding. Little did I know looking back seven years later - that was a cake walk.
Two months before our wedding, we lost my grandfather. It was so quick and sudden. He passed away on a Monday and Christopher and I had been there that weekend before. Little did I know that would be the last time I would see him. I'll admit, I was furious with God. Why two months before our wedding, why. Could this not wait till afterwards. I had always dreamed of having my grandfather at my wedding sharing in the joy of the day.
It wasn't till 4 years later when I understood. The phone rang at 6am one morning; it was my father. All I really remember of that phone call was, "Sweetheart, the 17th street levee broke - you know where that is?" I responded half asleep, "Yes.... Gran's house is gone isn't it." I don't remember much else of the conversation other than hanging up the phone and crying my self back to sleep. Work seemed trivial that day compared to what my family was going through. But as time went on I saw God's plan.
That October, Christopher and I became pregnant. It was so clear. By losing my grandfather when my grandmother did - it showed her she could live on her own and re-teach herself the things that my Grandfather used to do. She needed to learn this, so she could do it again when Katrina took her house away from her. Katrina also had her move to Houston, closer to us and closer to her great grandchild. Ethan was the first great grandchild she was able to be there for his birth. And I think that meant allot to her. God's plan was coming clear.
A year and half later, Christopher was told he had cancer and I often find my self trying to figure out God's plan for this one. But at this point, I'll leave it in his hands. I know that everything happens for a reason and I may never figure it out - but that is God's plan.
This past Saturday, Hurricane Ike came through Houston. And while he spared my parents and grandmother's home - he took the home of some of my aunts and uncles in Bridge City. We have heard that there are dead fish and snakes everywhere. Almost sounds like something out of a movie. However, we are a strong family that has always risen above the challenges that are put in front of us. And my aunts and uncles will bounce back from this in time. Yet again, God has a plan. And what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
However in life, God throws us a curve ball and it's up to us to see the blessing in it and help our faith get a little stronger. When going through college I thought the hardest thing in my life was trying to find a job and plan a wedding. Little did I know looking back seven years later - that was a cake walk.
Two months before our wedding, we lost my grandfather. It was so quick and sudden. He passed away on a Monday and Christopher and I had been there that weekend before. Little did I know that would be the last time I would see him. I'll admit, I was furious with God. Why two months before our wedding, why. Could this not wait till afterwards. I had always dreamed of having my grandfather at my wedding sharing in the joy of the day.
It wasn't till 4 years later when I understood. The phone rang at 6am one morning; it was my father. All I really remember of that phone call was, "Sweetheart, the 17th street levee broke - you know where that is?" I responded half asleep, "Yes.... Gran's house is gone isn't it." I don't remember much else of the conversation other than hanging up the phone and crying my self back to sleep. Work seemed trivial that day compared to what my family was going through. But as time went on I saw God's plan.
That October, Christopher and I became pregnant. It was so clear. By losing my grandfather when my grandmother did - it showed her she could live on her own and re-teach herself the things that my Grandfather used to do. She needed to learn this, so she could do it again when Katrina took her house away from her. Katrina also had her move to Houston, closer to us and closer to her great grandchild. Ethan was the first great grandchild she was able to be there for his birth. And I think that meant allot to her. God's plan was coming clear.
A year and half later, Christopher was told he had cancer and I often find my self trying to figure out God's plan for this one. But at this point, I'll leave it in his hands. I know that everything happens for a reason and I may never figure it out - but that is God's plan.
This past Saturday, Hurricane Ike came through Houston. And while he spared my parents and grandmother's home - he took the home of some of my aunts and uncles in Bridge City. We have heard that there are dead fish and snakes everywhere. Almost sounds like something out of a movie. However, we are a strong family that has always risen above the challenges that are put in front of us. And my aunts and uncles will bounce back from this in time. Yet again, God has a plan. And what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Who Said Not To Talk to Strangers
One day, I was out at Target getting diapers and I saw a woman with a scarf around her head and her face was a little sunken in. I knew right off the bat, this woman has cancer and is going through some type of treatment.
I watched other woman walk past her, teenagers snickering, looking at her as if she had the plague. I didn't know what stage her cancer was nor did I care. She had cancer and I wanted to make sure she got a smile out of me. With Ethan in tow in the front of our basket, I wheeled up to her and said "Hi, good afternoon."
She smiled and greeted us back. I think without saying a word, we both knew what the other was thinking and it warmed my heart from the inside out. Ethan gave her a "bump" which I had to explain to her, but she laughed, smiled and bumped him back.
While I can never imagine what someone with cancer goes through; I do know what it does to them physically, but if I can make one person smile - that's all that matters to me. Cancer doesn't have to be a scare thing for anyone as long as there is someone there who is willing to smile and let us know that we are not alone.
I watched other woman walk past her, teenagers snickering, looking at her as if she had the plague. I didn't know what stage her cancer was nor did I care. She had cancer and I wanted to make sure she got a smile out of me. With Ethan in tow in the front of our basket, I wheeled up to her and said "Hi, good afternoon."
She smiled and greeted us back. I think without saying a word, we both knew what the other was thinking and it warmed my heart from the inside out. Ethan gave her a "bump" which I had to explain to her, but she laughed, smiled and bumped him back.
While I can never imagine what someone with cancer goes through; I do know what it does to them physically, but if I can make one person smile - that's all that matters to me. Cancer doesn't have to be a scare thing for anyone as long as there is someone there who is willing to smile and let us know that we are not alone.
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